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MI6 reports from Siena, Italy, where the final scenes
for the pre-titles chase sequence were filmed at the
Piazza del Campo with Daniel Craig...
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Production Diary (33)
8th June 2008
Filming of the new James Bond film "Quantum
of Solace" returned to the town of Siena in Italy
in early April and later again in May, following initial background
shots
that were taken during the bi-annual Palio
di Siena horse race back in August last year. This time around,
principal cast members were present to shoot an action sequence
that sees 007 chase
down MI6 traitor Mr Slate.
The action starts after Mr White's interrogation
at an MI6 safe house with a car
chase along the banks of Lake Garda, to local
marble quarries and then through the narrow winding
streets of Siena. With the Aston Martin DBS in need of a good
wash & wax, the chase moves on
foot down the streets, over the roofs and through the 'bottini'
underground aqueducts. Bond emerges
from a fountain in the town square just as the famous Palio di
Siena race is reaching its climax with the horses thundering
around towards the finish line.
With the street scenes completed in early
April, the remaining
shots filmed a couple of weeks ago centred on the Piazza del Campo.
Above: Mr Slate and James Bond between takes at the Piazza del Campo
in Siena, Italy
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The 007 crew took over Siena for filming between
May 9th and May 23rd, with some streets and market square closed
off to the public. The Piazza del Campo was closed off from May
14th to May 16th for a scene where Bond hunts Mr Slate on foot
through the crowds. Hundreds of extras were drafted in to substitute
a small section of the crowd from the race back in August. A
small green screen was also used.
Above: Daniel Craig between takes
at the Piazza del Campo, Siena.
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The chase sequence was originally written to end at the Siena
Duomo (cathedral), but this was later discarded as it was seen
to be disrespectful to the location. Instead, 007 will emerge
from the fountain in the Piazza del Campo just at the moment
that the horse race ends. The network of underground tunnels
('bottini') were reconstructed in Pinewood as filming at the
real location was not possible.
Top Row: Extras reconstitute a small
section of the race crowd as captured back in August
Bottom Row: The Aston Martin DBS looks worse for wear after its trip
through the quarry
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The entire chase will form the pre-credits sequence
to the movie and is expected to run for 15 minutes.
Above: A huge rig holds up a reflective
sheet for lighting, whilst the square is closed to traffic
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